Tokyo-Hakone Daigaku Ekiden Final
This year’s Hakone Long-distance Relay Race ended with Nippon Sport Science University’s glorious victory for the first time in 30 years.
The result of the game is crucial since it is a relay race after all; however, there is another important reason to enjoy the Hakone Long-distance Relay Race, which is the spectacular scenery surrounding the course.
The Hakone Long-distance Relay Race’ starting point is from Otemachi, Tokyo and stretches 108 kilometers, all the way to Ashinoko, Hakone.
Hakone is initially the tourist attraction that represents Japan, but within its course are the Shonan Coast, Odawara Castle, and an abundance of other attractions worth seeing.
Even if you’re only watching the race from your TV, the beautiful scenery captured on the screen itself is enough reason to enjoy watching the race.
Being able to experience the taste of that sightseeing feeling from your living room… aah, now that must be the secret why Hakone Long-distance Relay Race is so popular.
Tokyo-Hakone Daigaku Ekiden
With a history since 1920, “Tokyo-Hakone Daigaku Ekiden,” or a Japanese long-distance relay race by collegiate is a main and popular event during the New Year holidays, Jan. 2nd and 3rd.
“Ekiden” is originated in Japan. The Japanese term originally referred to a stagecoach.
Five athletes from each collage run about 108km from Otemachi in Tokyo to Ashinoko for Hakone Ekiden.
Spectators are piled and cheer runners along the course. And, the television ratings for the program exceeded 20%.
Annual Ekiden relay race by adult is held on Jan. 1, just a day before Hakone Ekiden. Even though it is known for its high level than Hakone Ekiden, Japanese are more excited with Hakone Ekiden which all participants are college students.
20 universities participate for this year, and Nippon Taiku College wins the championship for the first day and the overall champion will be announced tomorrow.
I cannot miss a thrilling relay race tomorrow, but I will introduce another way of enjoying Hakone.
A Happy New Year 2013
New Years day, “Hatsumode”
Happy New Year!! or “Gantan” in Japanese.
January 1 — is a time to visit Shinto shrines and temples in throughout Japan, called “Hatsumode.”
Over 1 million people visit the Shinto shrines on the New Year Day only.
It is too crowded!! You cannot even look down your feet!
Standing Sake Bar in Shinbashi Tokyo
Photo by Keiko Azuma
Photo by Keiko Azuma
This is the new trend where it is called “Standing Sake Bar” Usually you can pick your some kinds of your preferance sake. Or you can ask the bar owners or the managers who are very knowledge of what types of the sake is good for the particular customer. They usually have the great selections that they pick the selections so carefully with their dignity and the customer loves to hear why they picked the particular selections. When you come to Japan, there are the sake that are exclusively circulated only in Japan. So please find the sake that you can not find in your countries. Don’t be afraid of asking !!
Aizu Fukushima
This traditional Japanese craft is called “BEKO” This particular toys from AIZU region from Fukushima prefecture area. There are so many traditonal characters or toys exsisting throughout Japan. After Japan earthquake, many areas that had damaged have been recovering from support from all over the world. And it will continue to be well and better.
The red color what is used in toy usually represents fight againist evil spitit to protect.